- … because you are a new client, and I don’t know what to expect.
- … because you are an old client and you know my rates.
- … because this job is for a new client.
- … because this job is for an old client.
- … because last time I gave you a discount.
- … because last time I didn’t give you a discount.
- … because I always give you discounts and I’m tired of it.
- … because I never give discounts.
- … because I know how much my services cost.
- … because professional translators rarely give discounts.
- … because if you want to work with me, you have to accept my rates.
- … because if you don’t want to work with me, you are free to look for another translator.
- … because I will not make up for the discount in future jobs, because you will keep asking for them.
- … because it is a big job, months of guaranteed work, and I’m not going to work for peanuts.
- … because it is a small job and I will have to juggle with my other commitments.
- … because my schedule is already tight.
- … because it is a simple job that I do very often, and giving you a discount will cut my profits.
- … because I’m not going to work during the weekend, I need my rest as well.
- … because there is no such a thing as an easy text.
- … because it’s a subject I spent years to get familiar with.
- … because it’s a subject I’m not familiar with and I have to do a lot of research.
- … because it’s a subject I’m not familiar with and I really do have to do a lot of research.
- … because it is not just like something I did two years ago.
- … because I have to read all the reference materials.
- … because there is a difference between a glossary and translation.
- … because I still have to translate the text.
- … because I will have to spend loads of time to learn how to use your proprietary CAT tool.
- … because I’m not really into quantum physics.
- … because I’ve never done anything like this.
- … because it’s a non-technical text.
- … because it’s a technical text. I have to worry about style.
- … because I have my standards and I approach every text with the same attention.
- … because if you want a summary translation, we can negotiate a different rate.
- … because I still have to translate it, regardless of the format.
- … because if you want me to edit or proofread a text, we can negotiate a different rate.
- … because I have to correct other bits, and that proves to be very time consuming.
- … because I’m not a secretary.
- … because I’m not your sister, brother, mother, partner or cousin.
- … because you couldn’t do it yourself, that’s why you’re looking for a translator.
- … because that’s the price for a quality translation.
- … because a junk translation is a junk translation.
- … because I am a professional translator and that’s how much I charge.
- … because that’s how much I charge, regardless of what your clients think.
- … because it doesn’t matter to me who pays for the job, as long as it is paid.
- … because I need my profit.
- … because you know my rates.
- … because the exchange rate is not my concern.
- … because for me, every project is the same priority, the same budget.
- … because your budget is not my concern.
- … because that’s how much I’m charging.
- … because again, your budget is not my concern.
- … because your problems are not my problems, as long as I get paid.
- … because if I can’t afford something, I don’t buy it.
- … because your boss is ignorant.
- … because if I tell my husband how little I’ve earned this month he will kill me.
- … because your problems are not my problems.
- … because I know my price.
- … because I’m not going to do it for under $150. That’s it.
- … because I don’t have any influence on world’s economy.
- … because I don’t have any influence whatsoever on world’s economy.
- … because I know what rates are there in my country.
- … because your bids and proposals are not my problem.
- … because I always have an alternative. I can simply say no.
- … because you still care more about your commission than my rates.
- … because it’s simply not my problem.
- … because your incompetence is not my problem.
- … because your friends are not my friends.
- … because I’m not in a crisis.
- … because I’m still not in a crisis.
- … because I’ve never felt any effects of any crisis.
- … because your horizon is not my horizon.
- … because you know my rates.
- … because NO!
Your thoughts on this?
Originally published by Marta Stelmaszak here (I edited it a tiny bit).